how much is normal?
Cruiser
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 211
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From: Buffalo MN
Why isnt there more stickies in the EVO section.....this could be one mod that would have been good to know.
Also bearings and so on....sticky section for Evos is lacking. I got some good info from the Dyna stickies.....but limited because of years.
Also bearings and so on....sticky section for Evos is lacking. I got some good info from the Dyna stickies.....but limited because of years.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,728
Likes: 3,073
From: Brighton, MI
When I bought my 1994 dyna (used this past march with 27,500 miles) it had the oil in the breather issue. It also had a weeping cylinder base gasket on rear left cylinder.
I started using conventional oil (valvolene racing 20w-50) and the cylinder weeping has gone away after about 500 miles, I also run the oil a touch low (as mentioned in this thread) and my bike no longer drips from the air cleaner.
I don't run it much on the freeway, but do travel up to 60 to 65 mph for miles at a time and no issues. YD
I started using conventional oil (valvolene racing 20w-50) and the cylinder weeping has gone away after about 500 miles, I also run the oil a touch low (as mentioned in this thread) and my bike no longer drips from the air cleaner.
I don't run it much on the freeway, but do travel up to 60 to 65 mph for miles at a time and no issues. YD
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,874
From: Upstate New York
Back on topic. Given the age of your bike, I'd consider opening the rocker boxes and replacing the rubber flapper valves if you haven't. My bike always dripped a bit of oil (I kept a folded paper towel wedged between the air cleaner and the cover to catch the excess oil. A couple of weeks ago, I went for a long day ride, and when I reached my destination, the entire right side of the bike was coated with oil. This just wouldn't do. I check compression and it was right to spec, so I knew it wasn't excessive blow by.
I bought new gaskets and flapper valves and disassembled my rocker boxes. I found two issues. First, the flapper valves were hard as a rock, and no longer functioning. I noticed the new valves were a different color (likely a different material). Second, the lower-middle rocker box gasket had slipped out of position, allowing oil from the rocker box to flow into the venting chamber (when you get the rocker boxes apart, you'll see what I mean). The old neoprene gaskets are very soft, and can squeeze out from between the rocker box halves in this area, allowing oil to leak into the breather ports. The new Harley gaskets are a stiffer rubber, so I'm hoping this won't happen again.
Total job took me three hours, including removal/reinstalling the tanks. Good news, the motor drips hardly any oil now-just a tiny fraction of what she used to. and that's with running the oil at the "full" mark. I don't like running the oil level low on a Softail, since the Softail already runs a quart less oil in its system compared to the dressers (3 vs. 4). To be sure, I did try running my motor with less oil to control oil carryover. All it did for my bike was to increase oil temperature and oil consumption.
I bought new gaskets and flapper valves and disassembled my rocker boxes. I found two issues. First, the flapper valves were hard as a rock, and no longer functioning. I noticed the new valves were a different color (likely a different material). Second, the lower-middle rocker box gasket had slipped out of position, allowing oil from the rocker box to flow into the venting chamber (when you get the rocker boxes apart, you'll see what I mean). The old neoprene gaskets are very soft, and can squeeze out from between the rocker box halves in this area, allowing oil to leak into the breather ports. The new Harley gaskets are a stiffer rubber, so I'm hoping this won't happen again.
Total job took me three hours, including removal/reinstalling the tanks. Good news, the motor drips hardly any oil now-just a tiny fraction of what she used to. and that's with running the oil at the "full" mark. I don't like running the oil level low on a Softail, since the Softail already runs a quart less oil in its system compared to the dressers (3 vs. 4). To be sure, I did try running my motor with less oil to control oil carryover. All it did for my bike was to increase oil temperature and oil consumption.
Last edited by Uncle G.; Sep 29, 2013 at 05:41 PM.
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Joined: May 2013
Posts: 71
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From: tulsa
Ok.....Yes, I am dancing around the subject but seals/valves may need to be replaced....damn it!. I know the last (and original) owner had not but more than a couple of 100 miles on it in the last 2-3 years.....things dry out I guess.
I do not want to run the oil tank at half empty either. It is not just the oil level but the fact that the oil is a heat sink. The less oil in the tank, the less there is to absorb heat and so even out the temperature spikes! At least that is how I see it with my limited knowledge!
I do not want to run the oil tank at half empty either. It is not just the oil level but the fact that the oil is a heat sink. The less oil in the tank, the less there is to absorb heat and so even out the temperature spikes! At least that is how I see it with my limited knowledge!
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 9,332
Likes: 3,874
From: Upstate New York
Ok.....Yes, I am dancing around the subject but seals/valves may need to be replaced....damn it!. I know the last (and original) owner had not but more than a couple of 100 miles on it in the last 2-3 years.....things dry out I guess.
I do not want to run the oil tank at half empty either. It is not just the oil level but the fact that the oil is a heat sink. The less oil in the tank, the less there is to absorb heat and so even out the temperature spikes! At least that is how I see it with my limited knowledge!
I do not want to run the oil tank at half empty either. It is not just the oil level but the fact that the oil is a heat sink. The less oil in the tank, the less there is to absorb heat and so even out the temperature spikes! At least that is how I see it with my limited knowledge!
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Joined: May 2013
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From: tulsa
FYI update:
One week after I did a regular oil change to Mobile 1 20w50 V-Twin. Last oil change done by Harley dealer just before I bought it in June. No idea which oil they used.
Very interesting, it has not spat out a drop of oil so far.
One week after I did a regular oil change to Mobile 1 20w50 V-Twin. Last oil change done by Harley dealer just before I bought it in June. No idea which oil they used.
Very interesting, it has not spat out a drop of oil so far.
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